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Strangers in the Night

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 31; the thirty-first edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is 'Strangers in the Night'.

Its a set of seven 55 word fiction written in true spirit of blog-a-hon. Hope you will like it.

I

They were best of the couples in town, wearing tallest
of affection, bond and love throughout. Always by each other’s side they were
like sun with light, flower with bloom. No occasion was complete without them.
The love that’s so inseparable in the day turns its face in dark. They become
strangers in the night.

II

He threw a glance over her body soaked in sweat
and helplessness. His conscience took a wild flight and soon he was all over
her. Slowly teasing, maneuvering and making her plead in pleasure. Her eyes glistened
as she moved her hand behind him. She didn’t stop stabbing till his breaths
disappeared from her skin.

III

Her eyes were fixed on the window. She once
looked at herself and next at the clock. When the world takes rest, she became
restless, awake, praying it to dawn at earliest. She splashed water several
times over her but still couldn’t douse the fire that those strangers in the
night burnt her house with.

(Post Gujarat Riots)

IV

He walked ahead furtively, reached to her and
held her wet palms in his hands. She stopped in shock and turned at him. A look
and she gave her doubts to rest. He walked her through the road and help board
the bus. She blessed the unknown young man who helped her cross the road.

V

She marched ahead but the footsteps followed. A harsh
smell of liquor and smoke burnt her ears. Holding her daughter’s hands, she
began to run. He stopped her mid way and grabbed her hands. Take the money and
let us go, she pleaded. He placed a key. “You dropped it near the gate no 9.

VI

Her sobs fade away in the creaks of night. She
pleaded mercy but they laughed. Their hands leashed ahead and robbed her off dignity.
She was alone and could not fight the mob. With broken faith she cried for
help. They said her morality was low because she wore jeans. That day a nation
died

(Assam Molestation Case)

VII

The train halted at Vashi station. He quickly
stepped down and his eyes went looking around for a familiar face near female
compartment. She didn’t come today. Dejected as he turned back to leave, she
called him- Hi, I often see you here but we never spoke to each other, I am
Isha. And you?

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Introduced By: Ekta Khetan, Participation Count: -1

The autor is half Human, half machine. Go Figure or just revel in what I write

Sorry for such a late reply, I just noticed your comment. I think helplessness is quite good in that situation. esp when seen from his perspective. -- Well the helpless girl does show her fangs in the end.

Cheers to that.

hmhm... You should try Mr.King's Novels. They are good dark stories that have the same dark tone.

Nicely woven pieces put together... At first it seemed to be a big story in small parts. But, as I read the whole, then I understood... all the small pieces are an indication of one theme..... Strangers in the Night. :) Well done... Ekta. Keep it up...

one single phrase,55 words,and you sum it up all! And not just once or twice but 7 times!Beautiful pieces, each one of these. :) "A look and she gave her doubts to rest." This was the highlight for me!

wow!!! what a different take...i liked it all the waybut the most i liked was 'post godhra riot' it sumps up it all very nicelyATB for BAT :)i could not participate...but u can see my post hereKaran - Strangers in the Night

From a 55 fiction point of view, excellently written. Its amazing how you have convincingly managed to fit each of the incidents within 55 words. From a complete post perspective, again, nice because it gives a view of the myriad aspects of life and relationships! Though strangers in the night seemed to be only in the first set. I was kind of hoping you had fit it into each :) Best wishes of BAT!

Thanks for your sweet/ encouraging comments and am glad that you liked it.

Reg ur query that on strangers in the night being present only in first set- I have used the theme in all the set by trying diff angles. For eg- the post on assam molestation:- The girl met some nasty strangers in the night who mocked off her dignity. In the old lady and young boy post- the stranger in night was friendly who despite being stranger helped the lady to cross the road and all. 3. The key wala post where the lady found a stranger that night who was weird that she got frightened by look n appearance whereas he was chasing not to hurt but to help.

I could not write the words "strangers in night" as I was limited by usage of 55 words only. Hope that clarifies..pl let me know :)

Hi Deepa,I am so glad you liked it...thanks for your wonderful comments, they are very much uplifting types :)

Yes, I agree that I have not used the word "strangers in the night"in all other stories as I was limited by words limit and having established the context once, I used that space for incorporating other words while maintaining the same theme. For eg- In the Assam molestation story talks about a girl meeting cruel/ nasty strangers in the night. The Godhra story talks about how a person's home and everything was burnt by some strangers in the night. and hence forth. Trust that clarifies...let me know :)